NEW YORK, April 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research announced that it would make up to $6.5 million in total funding available under three Critical Challenges research programs designed to accelerate solutions to some of the most difficult hurdles standing in the way of breakthrough therapeutics for PD.
The Critical Challenges funding opportunities focus research efforts on key priority areas in Parkinson's disease drug development. Priority challenges are chosen based on their relevance for addressing broader Foundation goals: define Parkinson's disease and its progression, alter the disease course and reduce its symptoms. The first 2009 Challenges are:
"Through the Critical Challenges programs, MJFF targets research that we believe to have critical relevance to the entire field," said Katie Hood, CEO. "Our in-house research staff, in consultation with the Foundation's scientific advisors, designs each Challenge to address a specific priority area where our funding and expertise can make the greatest difference in speeding scientific developments toward the clinic and patients."
Critical Challenges complement the Foundation's annually recurring Pipeline Programs, which do not identify a specific research priority area to be pursued, but instead provide opportunities for projects at various stages of development to be funded, ensuring that new ideas continue flowing into Parkinson's research. Last November, MJFF announced $11 million in 2009 Pipeline Program funding.
Abbreviated information on the 2009 Critical Challenges follows. Full details are available at www.michaeljfox.org/research.cfm.
Clinicopathological Correlations of Parkinson's Disease 2009
Total available funding: $1.5 million
Deadline: 6 p.m. ET, Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Funding Anticipated: December 2009
Postural Instability and Gait Disturbances 2009
Total available funding: $2 million
Deadline: 6 p.m. ET, Friday, June 5, 2009
Funding Anticipated: December 2009
Understanding LRRK2 Biology 2009
Total available funding: $3 million
Deadline: 6 p.m. ET, Monday, June 1, 2009
Funding Anticipated: December 2009
The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the development of better treatments, and ultimately a cure, for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research agenda. MJFF has funded over $142 million in research to date.
CONTACT: Media contact: Holly Barkhymer, +1-212-509-0995 x242,
hbarkhymer@michaeljfox.org, or Research Contact, Todd Sherer, Ph.D.,
+1-212-509-0995 x243, tsherer@michaeljfox.org, both of The Michael J. Fox
Foundation
Web site: http://www.michaeljfox.org//
